Ryukenkan Dojo - Tauranga New Zealand

Welcome to your study of Ryukyu Kempo Karate.

Before we go any further, we will address the correct pronunciation of the name of our art and some brief history.

The word “Ryukyu” is pronounced as “Roo-Queue” (think of kangaroos standing in a row!) and is the historical name of the chain of islands which were annexed by the Satsuma clan of Japan, and of which Okinawa is the largest island.

The word “Kempo” is pronounced as it reads “Kem-Poe” and is a Japanese translation of the Chinese words “Chuan Fa”, the common translation of which is “Fist Law” or “Fist Method”. The more accurate translation of “Kempo” is “Roll Hand Method” which at a simple level refers to the way the fingers and thumb roll into the palm to create a fist and at a deeper level refers to the rolling and snaking motion of the hands and arms when applying Tuite (pron. “Tui-tay”) techniques.

Therefore, in studying the art of Ryukyu Kempo, we are learning the “Ryukyu Fist Law” or “Ryukyu Rolling Hands Method”.

Ryukyu Kempo pre-dates most forms of Karate whether they are of Okinawan or Japanese origin. Another word which we must understand are the various translations of the word “Karate”. Karate is correctly pronounced as “Car-a-tay” not “Car-are-tee”. The, most common translation of the word Karate is “Empty Hand”, which is in reference to the empty hand techniques which form the basis of all Karate. There is however, a deeper level of meaning in the translation “Empty Hands” which takes the understanding of “Empty” further. We understand “Empty” to mean limitless, void or undefined, meaning that our hand techniques are not bound by any rules or limits – our techniques are limitless.

Ryukyu Kempo Karate was introduced to the world through the efforts of Taika Seiyu Oyata and his early students. One such student was Allan Amor, who after studying for many years with Mr. Oyata, founded the United Ryukyu Kempo Alliance.

The United Ryukyu Kempo Alliance currently has three schools in New Zealand. These are Ryukenkan Dojo in Tauranga, Bukenkan Dojo in New Plymouth and a new Dojo in Wellington which is yet to receive it’s name. There are other schools in New Zealand which are teaching Ryukyu Kempo from other lineages. We cooperate with a small number of these schools and support each others events, however they are not a part of the Alliance, nor do they teach the methods of the Alliance.

The United Ryukyu Kempo Alliance and its members do not discriminate against any other Martial Art. All Systems have their benefits and are appealing to certain individuals. When a martial art is studied fully and completely, the same underlying truths become apparent. There are only so many ways to move the human body and virtually every martial art contains the same motions, taught in a different order and at different times.

Ryukyu Kempo Karate is based around the study of Kata (forms), Bunkai (applications) and Ryukyu Kobudo (traditional weapons). When combined with training drills, our forms, applications and weapon skills combine into an effective, congruent and complete form of life protection. Ryukyu Kempo is one of the only martial arts available today which is taught in a true A-Z fashion where every single step builds on from the last and leads on to the next.

Your Instructors

Renshi Rickard began the study of Martial Arts in September 1984. Marty has studied a number of Martial Arts and holds Instructor grades in Ju Jutsu and Ryukyu Kempo under various organisations. Marty currently holds a Go Dan (5^th Degree Black Belt) in Ryukyu Kempo which affords him the official title of Shihan with the Alliance.

Shihan Standish began studying Kempo with Mr Rickard nearly 10 years ago. Mr Standish currently holds his Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt).

Your Class

Any martial arts class is only as good as the Students who attend. As one of these students, it is important that you understand your requirements and what is expected of you right from the outset.

Our classes are held twice a week. In order to develop and improve your skill level, it is important that you find time during the remainder of the week to practice in your own time. You do not need to commit hours to your solo training, but 15 minutes per day will go a lot further than none at all.

Attendance at class is paramount. If you cannot make a class, please inform Marty or one of the other students. Remember that you will fall behind in your lessons if you are not present at class. Each class builds upon the lessons of the previous class and to miss one or more will mean that critical information may not be passed on.

The study of Ryukyu Kempo is not unlike a savings account in a bank. If you do not make deposits in to your account, you will not receive interest and your investment will not mature as it should. When studying Kempo, your individual efforts are the deposits, the Instructors time and the interaction with the other students provide the interest growth and the investment matures as you learn more of the art and more about yourself. In the event you ever have to protect yourself in a serious situation, the payout will be how effective your skills are at the time.

Equipment

In the short term, you will not require any additional equipment to learn Ryukyu Kempo. Loose fitting long pants and a T-Shirt are required for training. As you progress, you will need to purchase a uniform, belts, weapons and some study materials and manuals. Information including costs and availability will be provided at the appropriate time. It is preferred that all training equipment be purchased through Renshi Rickard as this way he can guarantee the quality of the equipment supplied, and we also maintain a level of conformity between students.

Personal Hygiene

Personal Hygiene is paramount in an art where we are working in close contact with each other. In is important to have cuts and wounds properly dressed to prevent cross-infection. Ear-rings and other personal jewellery are worn at your own risk – these could be damaged or cause injury under some training conditions. We ask that no other jewellery be worn during training.

Neither the class nor the Instructors will accept any liability for any damage or injury which may occur to, or as a result of wearing, your jewellery.

We request that deodorant be worn during class out of politeness and respect to other students. Things get hot & sweaty enough without added unpleasantness.

Medical & Personal Fitness for Training

If you have any doubts as to your ability to undertake training, we recommend you seek medical advice before training. Neither the United Ryukyu Kempo Alliance (New Zealand) nor the Instructors will accept any responsibility or liability for injury caused during training or through a lack of medical consultancy

Venue

As we are currently training in a public venue, we must take care to ensure that we do not bring disrepute to our hosts or their facilities. We must leave our premises as we find them. Other people have to use the facilities also.

International Alliance Dojo

The United Ryukyu Kempo Alliance is based in Oak Grove, Missouri in the United States. There are also Dojo in several other US states. Outside the US, the Alliance has members in Canada and New Zealand. The Alliance also maintains close associations with a number of other organisations who follow a similar path to our own.

Training Costs

It is of primary importance to the success of the class that all costs be kept as low as possible. To this end, the regular training fees are governed by the members of the class. Neither Mr Rickard nor Mr Standish have any control over the training fees set in class.

As at April 2009, the fee structure is as follows:

Monthly Training Fees
Individuals	$20.00
Families	$35.00

An Individual is any person, regardless of age. A family is any number of people from the same family, who live at the same address.We prefer that training fees be paid by automatic payment each month. Details of the class bank accounts can be obtained from the senior members of class.We are required to pay an annual membership fee to the Alliance Headquarters in the United States. This fee is set at $35.00 for a single person, and $50.00 for a family and is due each September.

The fee structure for our grade tests are set by HQ. The fee for Junior grades is set at $35.00, the Senior grade (Brown belts) fee is $45.00. The fees for Black Belt gradings are set in the US also - further information will be provided when it comes time to sit your Shodan test.

The grade and membership fees are set by HQ and are the same in any Alliance Dojo in any part of the world.

Private Tuition

Additional private tuition can be arranged with either Mr Standish or Mr Rickard. There is normally no charge for additional training, however extended periods or multiple sessions per week may attract a nominal fee which is set by the Instructor.

We do our best to maintain the fees as low as possible – we do understand the costs of living and appreciate that no-one likes to pay more than they have to.

Contact Details

Renshi Rickard can be contacted using any of the following methods:

Phone / Fax: (07) 543-4373

Mobile: (021) 369-565

Email: renshi@ryukenkan.org.nz

We wish you the very best in your study of the Ryukyu Arts. Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to approach the Instructors or senior class members.